SEATTLE — Nov. 10, 2005 — Retired bank executive Robert M. Arnold will raise the bar for patrons of the Northwest's most successful fund-raiser when he offers $3 million as the "challenge gift" during the 30th anniversary Hutch Holiday Gala on Dec. 3.

In February, Arnold gave Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center an unprecedented $15 million gift — the largest private donation in the Center's history. At that time, he earmarked a portion of those funds to inspire Gala attendees to follow his example of unrestricted giving.

During the "Help the Hutch" segment of the evening every dollar donated by a guest will be matched up to a maximum of $3 million, which could result in a total of $6 million or more raised. As unrestricted gifts, all proceeds will benefit the Center's general fund, which sustains vital programs such as faculty recruitment, pilot-research projects, shared-research facilities and patient-family support.

The Hutch Holiday Gala will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers. Hosted by the Grace Heffernan Arnold Guild, the Gala is a black-tie event featuring spectacular live and silent auctions, an elegant dinner, and late-night dancing with more than 850 business and community leaders in attendance. It is the single largest fund-raiser benefiting the Center; last year's event raised $5 million through private contributions.

The Grace Heffernan Arnold Guild is named for Robert Arnold's late mother, a tireless Seattle philanthropist who helped establish the biomedical-research institute that was the forerunner to the Hutchinson Center.

Patrons can expect bidding wars over some of the Gala's most unique auction packages this year, including opportunities to be first to experience a new Trader Vic's restaurant, discuss leading-edge science with three Nobel laureates at an exclusive waterfront dinner, throw a private-estate dinner party catered by noted French chef Thierry Rautureau, or play golf with Tiger Woods.

Also at the Gala, the 2005 Distinguished Community Service Award will be presented to Steven and Fredda Goldfarb, both of whom have served as Gala trustees for the past nine years. The Goldfarbs are well known as the managers of their family's successful jewelry business, Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler, in Bellevue, Washington.

The 30th anniversary Hutch Holiday Gala is sold out, but for more information or to make a contribution call (206) 667-5423 or visit www.hutchgala.com.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, our interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists and humanitarians work together to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Our researchers, including three Nobel laureates, bring a relentless pursuit and passion for health, knowledge and hope to their work and to the world. For more information, please visit www.fhcrc.org.

The Hutch Holiday Gala
The Hutch Holiday Gala, hosted by the Grace Heffernan Arnold Guild has raised more than $41.38 million in support of lifesaving programs at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center including breast-cancer research, pediatric oncology, public health sciences, early cancer-detection research, and other research-equipment and patient needs. For more information visit the Gala's Web site at www.hutchgala.com.

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